Rough year? or Looking forward.

The week between Christmas and New Year always lends itself to reflecting upon the year that has almost ended.  Good memories, bad memories, frustration and elation.  I'm doing my usual reflecting today, and it's amazing how many things happened this year.

My grandma passed away.  While it was expected and necessary at the age of 92, and she was more than ready, it still hit me harder than I thought it would.  I have no grandparents now.  She was so miserable toward the end, and usually confused, but there was something about knowing she was still around.

Mom took me to TX to visit my aunt.  It was my first time flying, seeing the ocean (I don't care what you say, Kevin, it's the ocean.  It's too big to see across, it's full of ocean water...it's the ocean) and visiting Mexico.  What a great time we had.

Kevin's brother was killed.  When you have a firefighter in the family, you know the risks and you hold your breath each time you hear sirens go by.  There is, however, no possible way to prepare yourself to lose someone that is such a larger-than-life part of your family.  I hope someday we can come to grips with it, but right now, we can't.

I travelled 3 times for work.  Although the time of year wasn't ideal for these locations, and it's hard to leave the family, I had a great time.  I went to Michigan once and Indianapolis twice.  These trips are a lot of work, but it's cool to meet in person the customers that we talk to so frequently on the phone.

I got a couple of substantial pay raises.  If we had somewhere affordable to live, we'd be quite comfortable for the first time in our marriage.  Even paying the ridiculous rent that we are, we can afford little things that were only a dream before. 

I have gotten closer to my parents this year than I've ever been.  I've always enjoyed being around them (well, since I've grown up enough to appreciate them!) but we seem to tighten the bond consistantly.  My girls are growing up wth such close relationships to their grandparents.  They will cherish the memories forever.

Another first in our marriage:  We have two dependable vehicles.  Sure, my van has very high mileage, sucks gas, and looks a bit rougher than it did when we bought it, but I'm very confident to climb in and drive it anywhere I need to go.  Kevin's truck payment is too high, but it's SUCH a nice truck!  He is so proud, since he's always driven the "junkers" of our cars.

It's impossible to judge this year as "good" or "bad" with the vast mix of events.  I suppose if I have grown as a person, become stronger, or done my best, I'd have to say it's good.  I hope the good outweighs the bad in 2005, so that next years' reflection is more positive.

I had to delete and repost this due to some odd html/font problems.  It seems to be fixed, but who knows?